Foldable tote bag

ABSTRACT

The foldable tote bag of the present invention provides a tote bag whose main body can be folded and rolled up when empty and kept in a compact form. The foldable tote bag of the present invention enables a user to carry variety of products. The foldable tote bag of the present invention also provides easy storage when not in use. The foldable tote bag of the present invention can be stored in a purse, cabinet or desk drawer. The elastic handles of the foldable tote bag are utilized to hold the main body in folded and rolled up position for storage and carry when the foldable tote bag is not in use. The foldable tote bag of the present invention can be used by shoppers, office goers, students, exercisers, vacationers, traveling businessmen, and campers or other recreation-seeking individuals. The foldable tote bag of the present invention is washable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to handbags. More specifically, the present invention is related to a tote bag that is foldable when empty, easy to carry and store.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For as long as people have traveled from one location to another, there has been a need or desire to take selected items along with them. In today's world there are also many scenarios in which shoppers, office goers, students, exercisers, vacationers, traveling businessmen, and campers or other recreation-seeking individuals carry various items with them. One of the most popular methods of carrying items is the use of tote bag, which has handles or straps for holding. These bags are typically made of a strong, resilient material such as nylon, cotton or leather and can range in size from small, single-hand type to shoulder-harnessed tote bags. Tote bags are used for different purposes. People use tote bags to carry different kinds of products. Although carrying a tote bag can make a fashion statement, or provide utilitarian functions, but, at times, it can also become highly inconvenient to carry the tote bag while not in use. Mostly, people feel awkward to carry tote bags when not in use. Therefore, obviously, it would be highly desirable to provide a tote bag that is of a construction so as to be manageable to use and foldable which makes it easy to store and carry while not in use.

The uses of plastic bags are prohibited at grocery stores and other retail outlets in certain jurisdictions, in order to encourage customers to use reusable bags. Alternatively, some locations now charge per bag used by a customer. Accordingly, it is often prudent for a customer to keep a reusable bag with him or her, for the occasional unplanned trip to the store or errand. But again, carrying a reusable bag when not in use can tend to be awkward and cumbersome. Therefore, it would be highly desirable to provide a tote bag that can be folded, easily carried and stored.

Since many people carry a purse, satchel or other sort of bag, it would be advantageous to provide a foldable tote bag that can be used for its typical purpose (for example, as a purse or a satchel), but can also provide an additional storage area or capacity for the occasional use. Such occasional uses can be in the place of plastic or reusable bags, or may be merely to occasionally carry a larger amount of items than normal.

Numerous innovations for bags have been provided in the prior art that will be described below and which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they each differ in structure, and/or operation, and/or purpose, from the embodiments of the present invention in that they do not teach a tote bag for being folded or easily stored.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,628,242 discloses a foldable bag with retaining straps for holding articles including first and second opposing body panels constructed of a foldable material and connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides to define an open mouth formed opposite the bottom. The sides and the bottom of the compartment are foldable to collapse the compartment, and the compartment is maintained in the collapsed configuration in a variety of ways.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,517,610 discloses a method for making an adapter piece for ordinary bags or a specialized bag that creates a larger opening, while maintaining the same form-factor of the original bag. The incorporation of this adapter piece to ordinary bags allows for easy loading of the bag and provides additional rigidity to the mouth of the bag. Additionally, this modification can easily be incorporated into standard manufacturing process for conventional paper bags.

PCT Application No. 10635121 discloses a tote bag assembly that comprises a primary tote bag that has at least one handle affixed thereto and a secondary tote bag that has at least one handle affixed thereto. The secondary tote bag is in a rolled up condition, and the primary tote bag is in a rolled up condition so as to encompass the rolled up secondary tote bag. The primary tote bag has a single strap affixed thereto so as to be mediate of the handle. The single strap is attachable to itself, the single strap being in either: a secure condition wherein the single strap encircles the rolled up primary tote bag and the rolled up secondary toe bag and the single strap being attached to itself so as to maintain the primary tote bag and secondary tote bag in the rolled up condition; or an unsecure condition wherein the strap is not attached to itself.

PCT Application No. 200910263409.1 discloses a multi-purpose environmentally-friendly bag, which comprises a bag body and is characterized in that the inside of the bag body is provided with an interlayer, and the surface of the bag body is provided with small bags. The multi-purpose environmentally-friendly bag has the characteristics of simple structure, environmental protection and sanitation, multiple purposes and convenience for use.

It is apparent that numerous innovations for bags have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, a foldable tote bag for being folded, easily stored or carried while not in use.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a foldable tote bag which can be folded and rolled up when empty.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable tote bag which can be stored and carried in a compact form.

A still another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable tote bag which can be used for different purposes to carry various products.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable tote bag which uses its own handles to tie it up when in a compact form.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a foldable tote bag which does not use strings and buttons.

A still another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable tote bag which is light weight.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable tote bag which is washable.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a foldable tote bag which is inexpensive to manufacture, safe and easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed invention. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof, Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed herein, in one aspect thereof, is a foldable tote bag comprising of a main body having an opening for receipt of various products ranging from light weight to medium weight and a plurality of elastic handles. The foldable tote bag further comprises of elastic handles positioned at the top portion of the main body of the foldable tote bag.

The foldable tote bag of the present invention provides a tote bag whose main body can be folded, rolled up and kept in a compact form when empty. The foldable tote bag of the present invention enables a user to carry variety of products. The foldable tote bag of the present invention can be easily stored when not in use. The foldable tote bag of the present invention can be stored in a purse, cabinet or desk drawer. The elastic handles of the foldable tote bag are used to tie the tote bag after it is rolled up. No string or button is used in the foldable tote bag. The foldable tote bag of the present invention can be used by shoppers, office goers, students, exercisers, vacationers, traveling businessmen, and campers or other recreation-seeking individuals. The foldable tote bag of the present invention is washable.

Consequently, the foldable tote bag of the present invention can be used by different people for different purposes. Additionally, the foldable bag of the present invention can be easily carried and stored when not in use. Finally, the foldable tote bag of the present invention is inexpensive to manufacture, safe and easy to use.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed invention are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a foldable tote bag in a flat position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of a foldable tote bag, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C illustrates a foldable tote bag in a flat position with the top portion partially opened, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1D illustrates a foldable tote bag in a flat position with the bottom folded upwards, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates the beginning of folding a foldable tote bag in a vertical position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a foldable tote bag in a vertically half folded position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C illustrates the top view of the rolling up of the foldable tote bag starting from the bottom, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates the side view of rolling up of the foldable tote bag starting from the bottom, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates the rolled up foldable tote bag, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C illustrates the perspective view of the rolled up foldable tote bag, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates a hand being inserted into the elastic handles of the foldable tote bag, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a hand being inserted into the elastic handles of the foldable tote bag in order to pull the elastic handles over the rolled up foldable tote bag to secure it, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C illustrates a hand inserted through the elastic handles, beginning to pull the elastic handles of the foldable tote bag over the rolled up foldable tote bag in order to secure it, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4D illustrates pulling over of the elastic handles of the foldable tote bag over the rolled up foldable tote bag in order to secure it, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4E illustrates a rolled up foldable tote bag and the elastic handles securely holding it, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a foldable tote bag in use with products and showing the expansion and elongation of the elastic handles, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The invention is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. In the following description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the invention can be practiced without these specific details.

The foldable tote bag of the present invention provides a tote bag which can be folded, rolled up and kept in a compact form. The foldable tote bag of the present invention enables a user to carry variety of products. The foldable tote bag of the present invention also provides the user to carry light to medium weight products. The foldable tote bag of the present invention also provides easy storage of the bag when not in use. The foldable tote bag of the present invention also enables the user to store the foldable tote bag in a purse, cabinet or desk drawer. The foldable tote bag of the present invention further provides elastic handles which can be utilized to hold the tote bag together when folded and rolled up. The foldable tote bag of the present invention additionally provides use of the foldable tote bag by shoppers, office goers, students, exercisers, vacationers, traveling businessmen, and campers or other recreation-seeking individuals. Finally, the foldable tote bag of the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, safe and easy to use.

FIGS. 1A, 1C and 1D illustrate a flat view of one embodiment of the foldable tote bag 100 of the present invention and FIG. 1B illustrates the foldable tote bag 100 in upright position. The tote bag 100 comprises of main body 101 and plurality of elastic handles 140. The main body 101 of the present invention can be manufactured from any suitable material known in the art such as cotton, linen, canvas etc. Any suitable process known in the art such as stitching, pasting etc. can be used to give the shape and size of the main body 101 of the foldable tote bag 100. The elastic handles 140 preferably have a fabric liner to make the handles stronger, though any other suitable material can also be used without affecting the overall scope of the invention. The elastic handles 140 are attached to the foldable tote bag 100. The elastic handles 140 may be integrally formed with the foldable tote bag 100 or may be stitched, pasted or riveted into the top portion 110 of the main body 101 of the foldable tote bag 100. The sides of the top portion 110 of the main body 101 are not joined together which forms the opening 135 of the foldable tote bag 100 of the present invention. The bottom sides of the main body 101 are joined together by any process known in the art such as stitching, pasting etc. which forms closed bottom portion 130.

The foldable tote bag 100 can be manufactured in a variety of sizes, colors, styles and designs to provide an enhanced, fashionable look and to accommodate user preference.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main body 101 of the empty foldable tote bag 100 is vertically folded in half. The main body 101 is then rolled up starting from the bottom portion 130 as illustrated in FIG. 2C and in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates the method of securing the rolled up main body 101 of the foldable tote bag 100 by making use of the plurality of elastic handles 140 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, the elastic handles 140 are pulled over the rolled up main body 101 by use of hand of the user. The elasticity of the elastic handles 140 helps in firmly securing the main body 101 of the foldable tote bag 100 in rolled up position. FIG. 4E illustrates an empty foldable tote bag 100 of the present invention in rolled up and secured position.

As best illustrated in FIG. 5, a foldable tote bag 100 can carry various products on various occasions. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastic handles 140 of the foldable tote bag 100 expand and elongate.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the foldable tote bag 100 is washable.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the opening 135 of the main body 101 of the foldable tote bag 100 is closed by a zipper.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the foldable tote bag includes at least one pocket for securely holding small items and devices that are frequently retrieved, such as keys, travel tickets, sunglasses, etc.

Having now described the preferred embodiment of foldable tote bag, its use and usefulness will now be described. The foldable tote bag of the present invention can be folded, rolled up and kept in a compact form when empty. The user can store the foldable tote bag in its compact form in a purse, cabinet or desk drawer. Thus, the foldable tote bag of the present invention is easily storable. Mostly, people feel awkward to carry conventional tote bags when not in use. On the other hand, the use of plastic bags is prohibited at grocery stores and other retail outlets in certain jurisdictions. Alternatively, some locations now charge per bag used by a customer. Accordingly, it is often prudent for a customer to keep the foldable tote bag of the present invention with him or her, for the occasional unplanned trip to the store or errand. The foldable tote bag of the present invention has the advantage that it serves the typical purpose of a purse or a satchel and can also provide an additional storage area or capacity for the occasional use. Such occasional uses can be in the place of plastic or reusable bags, or may be merely to occasionally carry a larger amount of items than normal. The foldable tote bag of the present invention can be used for different purposes. The foldable tote bag of the present invention can be used to carry different kinds of products. The foldable tote bag of the present invention can be used for shopping, can be used to carry phone, tablets and other personal items to office, can be used by students to carry books, can be used to carry yoga mats to yoga classes, can be used to carry various products by vacationers, can be used to carry various products by traveling businessmen, and can be used to carry various products by campers or other recreation-seeking individuals. As the foldable tote bag of the present invention is light weight it can be easily carried while not in use. Although the foldable tote bag of the present invention is light weight it can carry various products ranging from light to medium weight. The elastic handles of the foldable tote bag of the present invention can be used to tie the foldable tote bag after it is rolled up when it is empty. Use of strings or buttons is not required. Therefore, the elastic handles of the foldable tote bag of the present invention can be utilized to hold the foldable tote bag together and store. As the foldable tote bag of the present invention is washable proper hygiene can be maintained by washing it at regular intervals. As the foldable tote bag can also be manufactured in a variety of sizes, colors, styles and designs it can easily provide an enhanced, fashionable look and to accommodate user preference. The foldable tote bag of the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, safe and easy to use.

Additionally, other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising” and “having,” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “attached” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable tote bag comprising: a main body having an opening at a top portion of said main body; and a plurality of elastic handles attached to said top portion of said main body; wherein said main body of said foldable tote bag is foldable and is used for various purposes to carry various products and said main body of said foldable tote bag is rolled up when empty and said elastic handles are utilized to hold said main body in folded and rolled up position for storage and carry when said foldable tote bag is not in use.
 2. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said main body of said foldable tote bag is manufactured from cotton.
 3. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said main body of said foldable tote bag is manufactured from canvas.
 4. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said main body of said foldable tote bag is manufactured from linen.
 5. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said main body of said foldable tote bag is manufactured from any other suitable material.
 6. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said foldable tote bag is washable.
 7. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said elastic handles are stitched to said top portion of said main body of said foldable tote bag.
 8. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said elastic handles are pasted to said top portion of said main body of said foldable tote bag.
 9. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said elastic handles are riveted into said top portion of said main body of said foldable tote bag.
 10. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said elastic handles are integrally formed with said foldable tote bag.
 11. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said elastic handles have a fabric liner.
 12. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said elastic handles have a liner made of any suitable material.
 13. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said elastic handles securely hold said main body when it is in rolled up form.
 14. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said elastic handles expand and elongate.
 15. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said foldable tote bag does not use strings and buttons.
 16. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said opening of said main body of said foldable tote bag is closed by a zipper.
 17. The foldable tote bag as in claim 1, wherein said foldable tote bag includes at least one pocket for securely holding small items and devices that are frequently retrieved from said foldable tote bag. 